Transcriber Job Description:

Is a career in transcription
worth it?
Did you know there’s a flexible and reliable way to make money from home? No, really – there
is! By freelancing as a transcriptionist you choose how many hours you work, making it a great
option for students or anyone looking to earn some extra money. This is a simple transcriber job
description, to help you decide if a career in transcription is worth it for you.
What is transcribing?
Transcribing entails listening to recorded audio (or video) and typing what you hear word-for-
word. The audio files are varied and can include focus groups for market research, interviews,
meetings, phone calls, zoom calls etc.
There are different kinds of transcription jobs; general, market research transcription,
medical transcription and legal transcription. Usually, no experience is required for general
transcription. Instead, companies such as Take Note or TranscribeMe require transcribers to
pass a test to ensure they meet their high standards.
For more specialised areas of transcription, such as medical transcription or legal transcription,
experience or training is needed. However, medical transcriptionists and legal transcriptionists
earn more money.
 
What skills does a transcriber need?
A successful transcriber has a range of skills, these include:

 Strong attention to detail – remember, clients, are paying for a service. It needs to be
typed up according to the transcription company’s style guidelines and without any
mistakes.
 Typing speed of at least 70 words per minute – search for free typing speed tests online
to see how fast you can type.
 Writing skills – a thorough understanding of all aspects of English language and
grammar is crucial.
 Discretion – you will be transcribing confidential audio, therefore a professional and
discreet manner is essential. Take Note takes its client’s transcription data security very
seriously.
 Computer skills – as you’ll be working remotely or working from home, you need to be
computer savvy and able to use different programmes and word processing software.
  Listening skills – transcribers need to have the ability to listen carefully to audio
recordings and interpret them appropriately.
 Time management – deadlines are non-negotiable meaning transcribers must work
quickly but efficiently.

 
Is transcription work right for me?
To help you ascertain if working for a transcription service is right for you here are the main
pros and cons.
Pros: 

 Flexible working hours that fit around your lifestyle

Cons:

 Difficult audio – sometimes the audio may be difficult to understand. That may be
because it’s poor quality, contains heavy accents or there are people talking
simultaneously.
 Unknown terminology – extra time will have to be spent researching the correct spelling
of unfamiliar terminology (medical terminology, business jargon, etc). In these situations,
the transcription process will be longer and some may find it stressful.
 Work might not always be available – as a self-employed freelancer, occasionally there
may not be any work up for grabs.
 Slow at the beginning – each transcription company has its own style guide which needs
to be followed to a T. It can take a while to fully understand and feel confident using it
but practice makes perfect.

 
Now the part of the transcriber job description you really want to know – what’s the pay
like?
Let’s be realistic, you’re not going to become a millionaire through transcription work (sorry!)
However, you will earn money without having to leave the comfort of home. Many people also
use it as a side job to support them, for example, students or parents doing full-time child-care.
With regular shifts, transcribers often make £1,500 per month.
Transcriptionists typically get paid per minute of audio and not per minute of your own time.
That’s why a fast typing speed is important! At Take Note, the pay rate for verbatim
transcription starts at £0.46 pence per minute of audio. This will increase depending on the
number of speakers in the audio, how technical the terminology is or more complex formatting;
the rates for post-production style transcripts (TV & Film transcription), start at £0.79 pence per
minute of audio, and premium closed captions at £1.70 per minute.
It should take you no longer than three to four times the length of the audio to type a verbatim
transcription, although it will inevitably take longer than this in the beginning. Don’t worry – this
is completely normal. Once you are up to speed you should be able to earn upwards of £9.00 per
hour of your time. Just be careful, as there are many transcription services that predominantly
recruit from outside the UK, which means that their rates tend to be much lower. I’ve seen UK
companies paying as little as £0.19 pence per minute… Also, don’t go near a company that
requires you to commit to a fee in order to get on the books. there are plenty of reputable
transcription services out there that will take you on if your typing speed, accuracy and grammar
are of a good enough standard.
 
How do I get started?
All you need is a laptop or computer, high-speed internet, a decent pair of noise-cancelling
headphones and enthusiasm! Many also like to use a foot pedal.
Don’t forget, as a freelancer you will have to register as self-employed with HMRC.
You can also consider a number of transcription certificate programs that can help with
recruitment, but it’s not essential.
If you think transcription work is for you and you’re ready to get those fingers tapping, you can
apply directly via Take Note’s careers site, or take a look at these “Best Transcription
Services“.
Thereafter you will be assessed, tested and then trained on an individual basis to check and
ensure that you have the necessary skills to join the team.
Check out our FAQs before you start the application process so that you don’t run into any
difficulties once you have started the tests. You should also have a go at our Practice Tests. That
way you will be fully prepared for what’s to come.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch and tell us a little about yourself
and we will get back to you soon.

Author: Thomas Carter